Handling and stabilization tool for pipe sections

ABSTRACT

Handling of oil/gas pipeline floats, sleeves and like pipe sections is done by hand and is dangerous. The invention relates to a handling and stabilizing device with a collar and pressure attachment device for carrying the pipe sections in a safe and stable manner.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tool for the purpose of handling a float, sleeve and the like. In particular, it relates to a tool for placement on a float, sleeve and the like for moving and handling the float, sleeve and the like, for example, during attaching pieces of pipe together in oil/gas drilling operations.

2. Description of Related Art

The drilling of oil and gas wells involves not only multiple sections of pipe for removing the oil/gas from the well, but also includes surrounding pipelines for supporting the well. Frequently, two or more surrounding pieces of pipe are used and connected to form long pipelines, as long as 15,000 feet or more, and filled with cement to give strength and support to contained pipe. Larger pieces of pipe are handled by cranes or other mechanical means but smaller pieces of pipe, like connectors, float collars, and float shoes, and the like which are smaller pipe pieces and while heavy, are handled and installed by hand with 2 or more people doing the installing by lifting the pipe section via the bottom edge of the piece of pipe.

Frequently these smaller pipe sections have very fine thread for attaching the section which are very sharp and hand installation can take as long as 45 minutes or result in stripped threads and damage to the installer's hands during the installation operation. Since these pieces can be installed quite frequently in a deep well where long sections are around 43 feet, long connection times, as well as costly mistakes installing the smaller pieces, is not only expensive but can add hours to the drilling process. Even further improperly installed smaller pieces can lead to leaks or drilling pipe failure. If a worker's hands are hurt by holding the pipe section by the bottom edge, they can be out for an extended time leading to a drilling shut down if no replacement personnel are available. Larger machinery for installing longer pieces of pipeline is not practical for small pieces and does not aid in the method used to install smaller pieces.

It is clear that a means for improving the time to install small pieces, make installations more accurate, and provide protection for worker's hands would be extremely useful in the more than 2,000 wells being drilled, but currently there is no device or method that solves any of these problems, let alone solves all of them at the same time.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery that if a stabilizing device is mounted on a float, sleeve or the like (here on after referred to as a “piece of pipe”) essentially circumferentially, the stabilizing device has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the piece of pipe, then one or more users can lift the pipe by lifting the stabilizing device from its bottom edge, which is not as dangerous. That way they have a firm grip at all times and do not need to get their hands out of the way as when carrying the piece of pipe by its bottom edge and connecting it to another section of pipe.

Accordingly, in one embodiment the present invention relates to a stabilizing device for the handling of a piece of pipe having a first outer diameter and a bottom edge by one or more user comprising:

-   -   a) A collar having a first inner diameter larger than the first         outer diameter and a bottom edge;     -   b) a pressure attachment device positioned on the collar for         attaching the stabilizer to the first outer diameter such that         there is a gap between the first inner diameter and the first         outer diameter of the collar sufficient that the one or more         user can lift the stabilizing device by hand via the collar         bottom edge.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of carrying a piece of pipe having a first outer diameter and a bottom edge by one or more user comprising:

-   -   a) selecting a stabilizing device comprising a collar having a         first inner diameter larger than the first outer diameter and a         bottom edge; the collar having a pressure attachment device         positioned on the collar for attaching the stabilizing device to         the first outer diameter such that there is a gap between the         first inner diameter of the collar and the first outer diameter         of the piece of pipe sufficient that the one or more user can         lift the device by hand via the collar bottom edge;     -   b) attaching the stabilizing device to the piece of pipe; and     -   c) lifting the piece of pipe by lifting the collar by its bottom         edge by the one or more user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stabilizing device of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a stabilizing device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stabilizing device the tube having open portions.

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of users carrying a piece of pipe with the collar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

DEFINITIONS

The terms “about” and “essentially” mean ±10 percent.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. Term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein the term “piece of pipe” refers to a piece of pipe of a size normally carried by one or more user by hand, especially where two or more users carry the pipe by its bottom edge. In one embodiment, the pipe is pipeline used in the drilling of oil and gas pipeline. Normal oil and gas pipeline drilling pipe is roughly 43 foot long and handled by machinery, but smaller columnar pieces such as connectors, float collars, float shoes, frac sleeves and the like are installed by hand. In order to screw these smaller pieces together, they are hand-lifted by a bottom edge and users must attempt to get their hands out of the way in time to align the small piece of pipe on the longer sections. In another embodiment, it refers to any heavy piece of pipe that is difficult to carry by hand. The pipe sections are from a few inches to possibly 3 or 4 feet, but in most cases no longer than about 5 feet, because of the weight and the availability of machines to do this kind of work.

A piece of pipe has a first outer diameter that for oil and gas pipelines is standardized. Since the piece of pipe is relatively short has a bottom edge which is the edge that is attached to another piece of pipe or longer section of pipe in e.g. in a well drilling operation. Frequently, the bottom edge of the piece of pipe has threads or the like for attaching to the adjacent pipeline sections. These threads also are a hazard since they tend to be fine threads and relatively sharp. Even with gloves on its possible to cut ones hands lifting and installing these pieces of pipe by hand lifting from the bottom edge.

As used herein, the term “device for handling a piece of pipe” refers to a device for attaching to the piece of pipe so that it can be lifted and put in place easily and such that it does not need to be carried by the bottom edge of the piece of pipe. It is a device that is attached temporarily to the piece of pipe so that a user lifts and carries by the device and not the pipe. A type of removable handle in one embodiment.

As used herein, the term “user” refers to one or more person (especially two in oil and gas pipe drilling operations) who would lift a piece of pipe for placement in a particular location.

As used herein the term “stabilizing device” refers to a device for temporary attachment circumferentially to a piece of pipe for the purpose of handling it and stabilizing it during the attachment process to a long pipe, such as an oil/gas pipeline. The stabilizing device consists of a collar and a device for attaching the collar to a piece of pipe. The collar will be used to lift the piece of pipe by lifting from the collar bottom edge instead of the piece of pipe bottom edge. It consists of an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the piece of pipe. The gap, in one embodiment, is large enough for one or more users to fit their fingers in-between the first outer diameter and the first inner diameter as shown in the figures. The user grabs the bottom edge of the collar and lifts. Accordingly, the bottom edge of the collar can be padded. The stabilizing device can be made of any material that can withstand the weight of lifting the piece of pipe. In one embodiment, it is made of a metal such as iron or an iron alloy or the like. It could also be made of a polymeric material which would lower the weight of the device. In one embodiment, it is a round device like a tube (pipe shown for example) of a single solid piece or can have holes or be a series of one or more rings attached to form a pipe-like shape (as seen in the Figures). A solid piece of pipe-like material would exhibit more strength but be heavier than one that is not completely solid. While the collar is shown as round (tubular), other shapes, such as square tubing or the like, could be utilized as long as there is a gap between the collar and the outer diameter of the piece of pipe.

As used herein the term “pressure attachment device” refers to a device for temporarily attaching the stabilizing device to the outer diameter of the piece of pipe by pressure. In one embodiment, a series of screws positioned through the sidewall of the collar are tightened until they press against the outer diameter of the piece of pipe and if tight enough would allow the piece of pipe to be lifted by the bottom edge of the collar. In FIG. 3 screws are shown, but with a heavier piece of pipe more or tighter screws might be needed. The screws could be fitted with pressure pads or gripping devices to aid holding the collar in place during the tightening process. Other types of pressure devices could be utilized as well, such as clamps or lever devices and the like. One skilled in the art with this disclosure could design a plethora of different pressure devices. One would typically attach the stabilizing device such that the bottom edge of the collar is mounted higher than the bottom edge of the piece of piece to give clearance to attach the bottom edge of the piece of pipe to another vertical pipe e.g. oil/gas drilling pipe.

As used herein the term “positioned” refers to the placement circumferentially of the stabilizing device around the piece of pipe. It does not have to be “perfectly” circumferential as long as a gap exists between the collar and the piece of pipe for grabbing the bottom edge. Essentially, circumferential design will give more spots to grab the collar by the bottom than if, say, one side of the collar inner diameter is touching the piece of pipe outer diameter. It also refers to having the collar bottom edge higher than the piece of pipe bottom edge.

As used herein the term “gap” refers to the space between the outer piece of pipe diameter and inner diameter of the collar. As a minimum, it needs to be at some location large enough to fit one's fingers in the gap, so at least about a half an inch or so. However the gap can be as large as desired accounting for weight and the like. Therefore, one larger stabilizing device might be useful for a number of different outer diameter pieces of pipe.

In the method of the present invention stabilizing device collar having a first inner diameter larger than the first outer diameter of a piece of pipe is selected. The stabilizing device having a pressure attachment device is positioned on the first outer diameter using the pressure device, such that there is a gap between the first inner diameter and the first outer diameter sufficient that one or more user can lift the piece of pipe by hand via the collar bottom edge.

Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective of a device of the present invention. The stabilizing device 1 consists of tubular portion collar 2 and pressure attachment screws 3. The tubular portion collar 2 has an inner diameter 4 and bottom edge 6.

In FIG. 2 the same stabilizing device is shown from a top view. In FIG. 3 the collar 2 is a series (two) of rings 5.

In FIG. 4 the stabilizing device is shown in perspective in use. In this view, two users 10 are holding the stabilizing device 1 by the collar's bottom edge 6. The stabilizing device 1 is attached to a piece of pipe 11 via the pressure attachment screws 3 which have been tightened against the piece of pipe 11 outer diameter 12. The gap 13 between the outer diameter 12 and collar inner diameter 4 is shown and hand of the users 15 fit easily on the collar bottom edge 6 for lifting the piece of pipe 11 without placing their hands on the bottom edge of the piece of pipe 17, which has threads 18.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stabilizing device for the handling of a piece of pipe having a first outer diameter and a bottom edge by one or more user comprising: a) a collar having a first inner diameter larger than the first outer diameter and a bottom edge; and b) a pressure attachment device positioned on the collar for attaching the stabilizing device to the first outer diameter such that there is a gap between the first inner diameter and the first outer diameter of the collar sufficient that the one or more user can lift the stabilizing device by hand via the collar bottom edge.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the collar is a tube.
 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the collar is one or more rings connected to form a tube like collar.
 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the pressure attachment device is 1 or more screws mounted through a wall of the collar and designed to pressure fit against the first outer diameter.
 5. The device according to claim 4 wherein there are at least 3 screws.
 6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the device is attached to the piece of pipe essentially circumferentially around the outer surface of the piece of pipe.
 7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the collar bottom edge is mounted higher than the piece of pipe bottom edge.
 8. The device according to claim 6 wherein the piece of pipe is being carried by the one or more user by lifting the device via the collar bottom edge.
 9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the piece of pipe is selected from the group consisting of connector, float collars and float shoes.
 10. The device according to claim 1 wherein the piece of pipe is a section of pipeline for transporting oil or gas.
 11. A method of carrying a piece of pipe having a first outer diameter and a bottom edge by one or more user comprising: a) selecting a stabilizing device comprising a collar having a first inner diameter larger than the first outer diameter and a bottom edge; the collar having a pressure attachment device positioned on the collar for attaching the stabilizing device to the first outer diameter such that there is a gap between the first inner diameter of the collar and the first outer diameter of the piece of pipe sufficient that the one or more user can lift the piece of pipe by hand via the collar bottom edge; b) attaching the stabilizing device to the piece of pipe; and c) lifting the piece of pipe by lifting the collar by its bottom edge by the one or more user. 